I did, however, become inspired by the headband in view 2 and created my own to go with the 70's vibe.

I basically took 3 long and skinny pieces of both of the fabrics and braided them together and then secured the ends so that I could just slip the headband on and off. Here's a close-up:

It made me feel very groovy:

hehehehe...All joking aside, I do actually like ponchos. There is something very appealing about being wrapped up in a warm blanket-like garment on a cold day! I used to keep a poncho-like wrap at work for when they blasted the air conditioning in the summer. It is a good garment to have handy.

The only way I could make this wool fabric work was to cut the poncho on the bias! Eeep...ignoring the grainline is not something I usually do. I was really nervous cutting it on the bias as I was unsure how it would affect the drape but I figured it was probably ok because it was a heavier wool and I wanted a drapey effect. Though I did go back and read all the comments from Sewaholic's post on when you can ignore the grainline. Very illuminating and I decided to take the risk. Overall, I think it's fine and I don't think it affected the drape too much. Phew!

Another thing I love about ponchos? They are fun on windy days:

That's Edinburgh Castle up on that hill! I love the view from this street (aptly named 'Castle Street').

I also lined the poncho with some purple lining fabric I had in my stash:

As you can imagine, a poncho is fairly simple to sew together. This just has a front and back seam and no collar. I left off the hook and eye at the neck as I liked it a bit open at the neckline.

The pants are, get this, elastic waisted! ha! I had no idea until I started making them. They have no darts in the front or back.

I had originally picked up the pattern at the Salvation Army because of the magic words written across the front 'Corduroy cut crosswise'. Oh yes, the rib is going cross-wise on the pants. I think my corduroy is not well suited for this design feature as this fabric is the pinwale type of corduroy (i.e. really tiny ribs). Ah well, at least I know it's cross-wise!

I've had quite a bit of this corduroy in my stash. I've made these pants and also Collette's Parfait pattern as a pinafore with it:

Now I want to pass it along for someone else's creativity! Up for grabs is approximately 3 yards of this lightweight pinwale corduroy fabric in a deep purple (it's more of the color in the photo above).

This giveaway is open to anyone and I will ship anywhere. To enter just visit the Sew Weekly archives and leave me a comment about which theme of the Sew Weekly has been your favorite so far and what you like about it. I'll pick a winner by random drawing. Be sure to leave a comment here before midnight EST on Thursday March 31st! I'll announce the winner on Friday the 1st of April (and it won't be an April Fools joke :-)

35 comments:

Groovy! It is worth having this pattern just for the illustration and slice of fashion history! My sister and I had identical pink ponchos and skirts back in the 70's when we were little girls - I just loved mine!

I really enjoyed the Colette pattern's week because I adore their patterns. But seeing as the only week I've managed to participate in is the Going Green week, I think that one has to be my favorite. Plus green is my favorite color and I can pull it off. And going green is hip or whatever they're calling it now. ;)

PS After another look at your purple shoes, I'm positive we have the same pair. See mine here:http://star-spangledheart.blogspot.com/2010/08/cest-fini.html

My favorite was something floral, something blue. Before reading that post I had never thought of blue floral fabric as matronly, if fact it was one of my fav. fabric choices (I hope i am now not tainted) It was the first time I had seen you wear something 50's inspired and it looked fantastic! very soft and feminine.

Oh, the Colette Patterns week, definitely! Although I originally started following Mena last year because of my love for vintage patterns, I've been a little obsessed with Colette Patterns as of late. I'd been trying to decide which pattern start with, and that week helped me decide! (I went with Rooibos--love those pockets!)

I think the most recent one is pretty interesting. "Don't judge a pattern by it's cover". I'm a tad obsessed with repurposing and recycling and patterns are no exception. With a little knowhow and imagination, even the worst offenders can produce something lovely!Px

I love purple and I love ponchos. I particularly like the lining, I think some people consider the poncho a casual item of clothing, but you have made it into something very special. I live in Dunedin NZ and many of our street names are from Edinburgh, and I always enjoy looking at your photos.

So weird seeing you in 'modern' clothes!Looking good though, you're only adding to my cloak/poncho/duvet-for-the-outdoors lustings.

I love that fabric and admired it very much on the dress - I'd love a chance to win!I enjoyed the local colour theme, because of how different everyone's ideas and creations were, but I think my favourite has been the stash buster, since I think it's something we can all relate to and be inspired by. The Sew Weekly emails have beecome a highlight of my week though, I love them all!

I don't need the fabric, I just wanted to add that I love this outfit- it is SO fun! Especially the headband!I think the purple theme makes it look like an outfit, instead of a costume (say, if it was all browns and orange...)

I actually really like "You can't judge a pattern by its envelope cover". I should try harder myself to look at the potential of a pattern that I randomly pick up in an op-shop, not just ignoring it because of the horrible colour choices or hair styling!

This past week's theme I have found awesome at the Sew Weekly. I love taking things that appear ugly at first glance and giving them a second life in something entirely different. I'm that way with old houses. Going into a house that's been trashed and seeing all the wonderful possibilities is very inspiring! Same with vintage patterns!

I adore your poncho! I've never made one, but have heard the same thing as to their warmth. Totally lovely in that fabulous purple! Totally need some purple corduroy too!

It´s hard to pick a favorite. I think, all the themes were great. But maybe till now I like the Oscar one most. Who doesn´t like great Hollywood dresses.You look so different with the 70s outfit, but it fits you, too.

I think the latest is the most interesting one. I know I have the tendency of shuving ugly patterns to the back and only making the pretty ones. But after seeing these inspiring creations I will definitely take the ugly ones in to making as well.

Totally groovy Debi... I love that you went full-on with both poncho and headband in the middle of Edinburgh!

My favourite theme so far is "And the winner is..." I am so often inspired by the costumes in films - sometimes it distracts me from the storyline. It was fun to see everyone's taste in films as well as fabrics!

I love the Seeing Red weekly the most. I think it’s because it show more how a good fabric choice changes something ordinary into an extraordinary (except the amazing pattern you used). As a sewer of basic ability I have been looking at sewing blogs a lot thinking I need to get a great pattern to sew up a good outfit. It shows me I should focus more on fabric choices rather than a snazzy pattern, I will never sew up.The fabric is beautiful.

I love a lot of what you sew, very hard to choose.I really like the 1935 coat-cape. Very nice choice of fabric. Looks very good on you. I would really like to see pictures of your projects as you go a long (steps).Very pretty purple fabric. Melissaatthecape@yahoo.com

Thanks Debi for the giveaway! I think my favorite is the stash-busting theme best. I am super conscious of the fact that my fabric stash is growing more quickly than my projects are getting finished, so it's nice to see people getting challenged to use what they have and getting points for it! :)

It's hard to choose a favourite - they've all been so much fun to do! :-) One that made me think the most was the Local Colour challenge - it got me looking at architecture to influence clothing, which was pretty cool. So it's probably my favourite one so far.